You will be welcomed on your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu by our staff member. Transferred to the hotel. In afternoon, we will be visiting the cultural heritage sites.
Patan Durbar Square- A Medieval Royal Palace area which is also known as the city of fine arts, we can see the finest example of metal and stone carving back to 14th century and also the amazing Nepali Architecture.
Swoyambhunath - The oldest Buddhist Stupa in Kathmandu Valley, a beautiful abode for lots of monkeys thus also known as Monkey Temple, is also a perfect vantage point to see Kathmandu valley.
Boudhanath- The biggest Buddhist temple in the world; a site for Tibetan Buddhism where we can visit monasteries, watch the Holy Monks busy in their chanting ritual going around the temple.
Pashupatinath- A holy pilgrimage for Hindus and Hindu Crematorium, watch as the Hindu dead bodies are cremated in a unique way in the world; we come across men with ash rubbed body, matted locks and dreaded look which is a typical look of a Hindu Holy Men known as Sadhus.
Overnight at your hotel.
Today, you will be having an hour flight to Paro. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Then, you will drive to Thimphu. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. You'll have a first taste of Bhutanese cuisine at a local restaurant. A short orientation on Bhutan follows before we begin our exploration of the capital. Today's sightseeing includes the visit of memorial Chorten built in the memory of Lt. His Majesty the King by Royal Queen Mother. Then after visiting Budha viewpoint from where one can have a panoramic view of Thimphu city. Later we will drive to Changlimithang stadium to witness Archery Match if the match is going on. In Evening, we will visit Tashihchodzong the parliament house of the country and scroll by the King’s palace. This splendid dzong, north of the city on the west bank of the Wang Chhu, seems to fit seamlessly into the valley, lending the city both regal splendor and monastic weight. You can enjoy the night walking around Thimphu Town after dinner.
Overnight: Hotel
Today, we will drive towards the northern end of the valley for about ½ an hr and start an exciting walk to Cheri monastery. This is a 2-3 hour pleasant rural walk, gently up a valley through paddy fields and woodland via a Tibetan village, following the Wangchu river-upstream till Dodena. Then walk uphill to Cheri Gompa. Return downhill, meet the transport and drive to Thimphu. Later in a day, we will visit: Changangkha Lhakhang: This popular temple, perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu, hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Motithang (National animal). The Takin preserve center: A short distance up the road to the BBS tower viewpoint is a trail leading to a large fenced enclosure that was originally established as a zoo. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals. Bhutan Post Office Headquarters to get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favorite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends. National Folk Heritage Museum: This restored three-story, rammed-earth, and timber building replicates a traditional farmhouse and is furnished as it would have been about a century ago to provide an interesting glimpse into rural Bhutanese life. Details that jump out include the antique noodle press, the leopardskin bags and Brokpa yak-hair 'spider' hats. The restaurant here serves good Bhutanese meals. National Library: contains religious literature and history of Bhutan Institute of Traditional Medicine: here the medicines are prepared as usual.
O/N Hotel Pedling
The Punakha valley produces abundant crops and fruits. Start your morning by enjoying and taking pictures of the Dochula Pass (3150m/10,000ft) with its panoramic views of the Himalayas. The pass is decorated with 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten, which were built to celebrate the stability and progress, brought to Bhutan by His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King. Sightseeing in Punakha includes as following: Chimmi Lhakhang: take a short hike through the rice field to Chimmi Lhakhang, the 15th-century monastery built by Lam Ngawang Chogyal on the spot where his cousin Lam Drukpa Kuenley (popularly known as “the Divine Madman”) subdued a powerful demon. This monastery is also referred to as the “Abode of Fertility” and believed that any couple who gets a blessing from this temple is blessed with a child in the next year or so. Punakha’s Dzong: The name means Palace of Great Bliss. This dzong stands magnificently on the spit of land where two rivers (Pho Chu and Mo Chu) meet. Punakha Dzong has special significance in Bhutanese history as the place where Bhutan’s first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned in 1907. It is also the winter residence for the Je Khenpo (spiritual leader) and the entire central monk body. Punakha suspension bridge: this is an exciting bridge for photography enthusiasts.
Overnight in Punakha: Hotel
Today will be dedicated to celebrating the festival & interacting with locals. The tsechus are a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology, and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the tsechus culminate with a rare display of a giant silk applique thangkas (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambhava or some other important Buddhist deity. People’s deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds and even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.
Program:
Dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds (Durdag)
Dance of the Terrifying Deities (Tungam)
Dance of the Raksha from the monastery of Dole (Dole Raksha Cham)
Dance of the Drums from Dramitse (Dramitse Nga Cham) et.c
Overnight: HOTEL.
At dawn, the ‘Thongdrol’, the thangka which brings liberation by sight is displayed till approximately 8 A.M. A religious ceremony called ‘Shugdel’ is performed by monk body of Wangduephodrang Dzong. The Royal Troupe of Masks and Folk Dances performs also in front of the thangka dance called ‘Religious Dance with Guitar’ (Dranyen Choeshey). Afterward, the thangka is rolled and folded and is kept out of sight in the Dzong until the next festival. Drive back to Paro.
Overnight at hotel.
Today morning we will enjoy a hike to the famous cliff-hermitage called Taktsang, the Tigers Nest. This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro Valley. Legend says that the Tibetan Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. We will then descend down and have lunch at our hotel. We will be having a short rest and continue visit: Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the century-old temple. Paro Dzong: ranks as a high point of Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley. It was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now, like most dzongs, houses both the monastic body and district government offices, including the local courts. Most of the chapels are closed to tourists but it's worth a visit for its stunning architecture and views. National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower, to see the ancient art collection. From here, one can have a good view of Paro valley and the Ugyen Pelri Palace. One can walk to dzong wooden bridge and marketplace.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be visiting Patan and Bhaktapur
Overnight hotel. BB
